Question

A 6-week-old infant presents to your office for a check-up. The baby was born full-term by NSVD to a 29-year-old G1P0 mother with no complications. Mother states the baby was feeding well until a week ago, when he developed increased sleepiness, prolonged feeding, and greater duration between feeds. His mother notes he stops to take breaks during feeds because he seems to be trying to catch his breath. He has four to six wet diapers per day and stools three or four times per day. Vital signs: Temperature is 37.6 C (99.7F), respiratory rate is 68 breaths/minute, pulse is 138 beats/minute, blood pressure is 88/58 mmHg, and oxygen saturation is 98%. The physical examination is notable for increased respiratory effort and retractions, and, upon cardiac examination, a murmur with a hyperactive precordium and no cyanosis. Abdominal exam reveals a liver edge palpable to 4 cm below the right costal margin.

Which condition would be LEAST LIKELY to be the cause of the infant's symptoms?

A) Aortic stenosis
B) Coarctation of the aorta
C) Ventricular septal defect
D) Patent ductus arteriosus
E) Atrial septal defect

Answer 1

\rE) Atrial septal defect

Step-by-step explanation:

The least likely condition for the cause of these symptoms in the infant is Atrial septal defect .

An ASD malformation is a left-to-right shunt, and—depending on the size of the defect—the patient may or may not present with symptoms. ASDs often go undiagnosed for decades due to subtle physical examination findings and/or a lack of appreciable symptoms.

If the defect is large enough, pediatric patients may present with easy fatigability, recurrent respiratory infections, or exertional dyspnea.

Answer 2

E) Atrial septal defect

Step-by-step explanation:

A 6-week-old infant presents to your office for a check-up. The baby was born full-term by NSVD to a 29-year-old G1P0 mother with no complications. Mother states the baby was feeding well until a week ago, when he developed increased sleepiness, prolonged feeding, and greater duration between feeds. His mother notes he stops to take breaks during feeds because he seems to be trying to catch his breath. He has four to six wet diapers per day and stools three or four times per day. Vital signs: Temperature is 37.6 C (99.7F), respiratory rate is 68 breaths/minute, pulse is 138 beats/minute, blood pressure is 88/58 mmHg, and oxygen saturation is 98%. The physical examination is notable for increased respiratory effort and retractions, and, upon cardiac examination, a murmur with a hyperactive precordium and no cyanosis. Abdominal exam reveals a liver edge palpable to 4 cm below the right costal margin.

Atrial septal defect do not cause CHF; an ASD malformation is a left to right shunt, and depending on the size of the defect the patient may or may not present with symptoms and ASDs often go undiagnosed for decades due to subtle physical examination findings and/or a lack of appreciable symptoms. If the defect is large enough, pediatric patients may present with easy fatigability, recurrent respiratory infections, or exertional dyspnea.